EVERTON are set to clinch the signing of Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford on a free transfer.

Goodison sources today confirmed the Blues have offered the 26-year-old a four-year deal.

Beckford was set to become a free aqent at the end of June but is expected to terminate his contract today so he can become an Everton player immediately.

Subject to a medical Beckford will become David Moyes' second summer signing following the capture of Slovakian goalkeeper Jan Mucha.

Everton have beaten off competition from a host of Premier League clubs who were also interested in capturing Beckford.

Aston Villa and West Ham were tracking the player's situation as were Newcastle who had several offers rejected by Leeds.

Everton were always Beckford's preferred destination however.

He fired 31 goals in total last season and 25 in the league to help Leeds gain promotion to the Championship.

Beckford sprang to national prominence when he struck the winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup.

The Elland Road club were desperate to keep hold of their top scorer but were always fighting a losing battle.

After turning down Leeds' final offer, they gave Beckford permission to talk to other clubs.

Moyes has been a long term admirer of the former Chelsea trainee who will now provide competition for Louis Saha, Yakubu and Victor Anichebe.

Meanwhile Shane Duffy has been described as ‘a very, very lucky boy’ by Republic-of-Ireland captain Robbie Keane.

The Tottenham striker has visited Duffy in hospital and revealed the youngster is already plotting his return to action.

Keane said: “He was very upbeat.

“The lads went in last week and said he wasn’t looking very well, but I went in yesterday and he was fine. He had a colour in his face.

“Obviously, he is still in a little bit of pain, but his family was there and it was certainly nice to see him. He is a very nice lad.

“Considering what happened to him, he is very upbeat and he is already looking forward to getting back playing.

“It was only right as captain to go in and see him.

“Myself, the manager, Marco and Fausto went in also, and it was good to see him.

“He is looking well and he is a very, very lucky boy.”

Duffy had been invited by Trapattoni to join the senior Republic squad for training purposes last week after switching his international allegiance from Northern Ireland last season.

And he may soon be joined by Everton team-mate Seamus Coleman who has caught the eye of Trapattoni’s number two, Tardelli.

Coleman is already a regular at Under-21 level and has just sealed a promising debut season on English soil by helping Blackpool reach the Premier League at the end of a three month loan spell at Bloomfield Road.

The former Sligo Rovers full-back recently put pen to paper on a new contract at Everton and could soon be celebrating his first full international cap.